Yams or sweet potatoes?

[major bill]

Most us know that yams/sweet potatoes are neither yams nor potatoes, they are kind of a fall thing. Today I had some sweet potato French fries; they were oh so good. I understand that yams/sweet potatoes were eaten before and during the Civil War but I doubt sweet potato French fries were known during the Civil War. This makes me wonder how sweet potatoes were used during the Civil War? Baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes ice-cream, what was the Civil War period sweet potato fad?

 

[donna]

You had sweet potato pie, sweet potato coffee and baked sweet potatoes. There are several recipes for sweet potatoes on the forum. Will bump some.

 

[Fairfield]

Most us know that yams/sweet potatoes are neither yams nor potatoes, they are kind of a fall thing. Today I had some sweet potato French fries; they were oh so good. I understand that yams/sweet potatoes were eaten before and during the Civil War but I doubt sweet potato French fries were known during the Civil War. This makes me wonder how sweet potatoes were used during the Civil War? Baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes ice-cream, what was the Civil War period sweet potato fad?

Love sweet potato fries. They're quite popular in Maine. Sweet potatoes are known for their health benefits (e.g., they lower "bad" cholesterol and promote gastro functions) so its not just an ACW thing--whether baked, boiled, roasted, fried, roasted, or steamed! But, to be honest, I've never seen sweet potato ice cream.

 

[dlofting]

We slice sweet potatoes very thin with the skin on and dehydrate them until a bit crisp. They make great dog treats and are very healthy. My grandkids eat them occasionally too.

 

[KianGaf]

I don't mind sweet potatoes either as French fries or mashed. I sure there are several varieties like regular potatoes but I couldn't name a variety off hand. Id been keen to learn a few as some can be a tad too sweet compared to other types.

 

[Pollaco]

Among Confederate Currency collectors there is given name to each bill which not only simplifys matters but pretty much describes the central design on the note. There is a $10.00 bill known as "Sweet Potato Dinner". It depicts General Francis Marion offering dinner of sweet potatos to Sir Banistree Tarleton. This design is also on some South Carolina notes before and after the war.

 

[Mrs. V]

I like sweet potato best when it is baked. My husband makes a nice mashed dish, with the potato left a bit lumpy, he adds a good quality butter and that's it..

My Sister in law does that marshmallow over the top, brown sugar drenched cassarole. Too sweet for me, so I never take any when it's served that way.

 

[Pollaco]

I like them so much I'm even fond of the canned variety.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

At the time of the Civil War, they were not common in the North, but in the South they were a staple. Given the chance, Union soldiers dug them whenever possible and roast them in the coals. They are mentioned in "Marching Through Georgia:"

"How the [formerly enslaved people] shouted when they heard the joyful sound
How the turkeys gobbled which our commissary found
How the sweet potatoes even started from the ground
While we were marching through Georgia."

 

[KianGaf]

I like sweet potato best when it is baked. My husband makes a nice mashed dish, with the potato left a bit lumpy, he adds a good quality butter and that's it..

My Sister in law does that marshmallow over the top, brown sugar drenched cassarole. Too sweet for me, so I never take any when it's served that way.

I never really understood putting marshmallows on top of an already sweet item. I'd give it a try if it was put in front of me. I'd say it could work with ham to balance out the salty taste , sweet & savoury works with ham.

 

[Copperhead-mi]

Among Confederate Currency collectors there is given name to each bill which not only simplifys matters but pretty much describes the central design on the note. There is a $10.00 bill known as "Sweet Potato Dinner". It depicts General Francis Marion offering dinner of sweet potatos to Sir Banistree Tarleton. This design is also on some South Carolina notes before and after the war.

1873 State of South Carolina "Sweet Potato Dinner" note from my collection:

 

[Pollaco]

Same design

 

[SandiD]

I don't mind sweet potatoes either as French fries or mashed. I sure there are several varieties like regular potatoes but I couldn't name a variety off hand. Id been keen to learn a few as some can be a tad too sweet compared to other types.

Not ACW era but I have a few recipes that use sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts together along with some dried cranberries and pecans. The tart berries and sprouts help tone down the sweetness of the sweet potatoes.

 

[SandiD]

I like sweet potato best when it is baked. My husband makes a nice mashed dish, with the potato left a bit lumpy, he adds a good quality butter and that's it..

My Sister in law does that marshmallow over the top, brown sugar drenched cassarole. Too sweet for me, so I never take any when it's served that way.

I like them baked as well....with a good quality butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

 

[Georgia Sixth]

Most us know that yams/sweet potatoes are neither yams nor potatoes, they are kind of a fall thing. Today I had some sweet potato French fries; they were oh so good. I understand that yams/sweet potatoes were eaten before and during the Civil War but I doubt sweet potato French fries were known during the Civil War. This makes me wonder how sweet potatoes were used during the Civil War? Baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes ice-cream, what was the Civil War period sweet potato fad?

Yam is a verb, as in "what are you yammering' about?"

Sweet potatoes are something very good to eat. I believe they, along with the peanut and okra, came to us from Africa in the "columbian exchange." I like them pretty much any way I can get them, as long as they don't have a bunch of brown sugar and marshmallows added. As an ongoing survivor of the low-sugar diet, I can attest that these wonderful tubers are plenty sweet just as they are and fully deserve their name.

 

[29thWisCoG]

raw yams are bomb

 

[Copperhead-mi]

Yam is a verb, as in "what are you yammering' about?"

 

[SandiD]

View attachment 413310

Did you know Popeye started as a merchant seaman, then went Coast Guard and at the start of WWII, his creator made him a US Navy sailor!

 

[Copperhead-mi]

Did you know Popeye started asa merchant seaman, then went Coast Guard and at the start of WWII, his creator made him a US Navy sailor!

Interesting. I was not aware of that.

 

[Georgia Sixth]

Did you know Popeye started as a merchant seaman, then went Coast Guard and at the start of WWII, his creator made him a US Navy sailor!

And before all that, he was the sole survivor of the CSS Hundley!